Formerly recognized as the leading hub of the whaling industry, this small island located off the shores of Massachusetts was the setting for the most violent trade in history.
Today, visitors can learn more about the town’s whaling history from the exhibits at the Nantucket Whaling Museum.
The island is also home to several other attractions, including three historic lighthouses, a brewery, and numerous picturesque beaches.
While Nantucket is a charming destination in and of itself, it’s also an excellent base from which to explore the nearby islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod.
For those who love the water, there are several sailing and kayaking tours that run year-round. Those who prefer to stay on land can take a hike around the island or explore the town’s shops and restaurants.
Keep reading to discover our list of all this historic little island has to offer
The 58 Most Popular Things To Do In Nantucket, Massachusetts
58. Surfside Beach
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: Andre Carrotflower, License, Wikimedia commons
57. Nantucket Preservation Trust
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: Lux Llama Productions, Google Maps
Location: 11 Centre Street Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 1387
Web Address: http://nantucketpreservation.org/
56. Esther Island
5.0 (1 review)
55. Quidnet Beach
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: Paul Cote, Google Maps
54. Coatue Beach
5.0 (1 review)
53. Hither Creek
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: Doug Bomeisler, Google Maps
52. The Old Mill
4.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Tichnor Bros. Inc.,, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 50 Prospect Street Nantucket MA
Web Address: https://nha.org/visit/historic-sites/old-mill/
51. Sesachacha Pond
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Toby Sackton, License, Flickr
50. Nantucket Land Council Inc
5.0 (2 reviews)
Location: 6 Ash Ln Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 2818
Web Address: https://nantucketlandcouncil.org/
49. Mass Audubon’s Sesachacha Heathlands Wildlife Sanctuary
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Juliette Sutherland, Google Maps
Location: Barnard Valley Road Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 9208
Web Address: http://massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/sesachacha-heathlands
48. Muskeget Island
4.7 (3 reviews)
47. Francis Street Beach
4.3 (3 reviews)
46. Tom Never Beach
4.3 (3 reviews)
45. Abnecotants Island
5.0 (3 reviews)
44. Fire Hose Cart House
5.0 (3 reviews)
Location: 8 Gardner Street Nantucket MA
Web Address: http://nha.org/sites/hosecarthouse.html
43. Windswept Cranberry Bog
5.0 (3 reviews)
Location: 301 Polpis Road Nantucket MA
42. Nantucket Historical Association
5.0 (4 reviews)
Location: 15 Broad Street Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 1894
Web Address: http://nha.org/
41. Altar Rock
4.5 (4 reviews)
40. Madequecham Beach
4.0 (4 reviews)
39. Miacomet Pond
4.6 (5 reviews)
38. Children’s Beach Playground
4.7 (6 reviews)
Location: 15 Harbor View Way Nantucket MA
Web Address: https://nantucket-ma.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Childrens-Beach-33
37. The Hadwen House Garden
4.7 (6 reviews)
Credit: Leonard Infranca, Google Maps
Location: 7 Pleasant Street Nantucket MA
Web Address: http://nha.org/hours/siterentals-hadwen.htm
36. Childrens Beach
4.3 (7 reviews)
Credit: Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism, License, Flickr
35. Artists Association of Nantucket Gallery
4.6 (8 reviews)
Credit: Artists Association of Nantucket Gallery, Google Maps
Location: 19 Washington Street Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 0294
Web Address: https://nantucketarts.org/
34. Maria Mitchell Association
4.9 (10 reviews)
Location: 4 Vestal Street Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 9198
Web Address: http://mariamitchell.org/
33. Dionis Beach
4.7 (12 reviews)
32. Tuckernuck Island
3.8 (12 reviews)
Credit: http://maps.bpl.org, License, Wikimedia commons
31. Quaker Meeting House
4.5 (13 reviews)
Location: 7 Fair Street Nantucket MA
Web Address: http://nha.org/sites/quakermeetinghouse.html
30. Sconset Beach
4.5 (15 reviews)
Credit: Aprof2, License, Wikimedia commons
29. Greater Light
4.6 (15 reviews)
Credit: Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism, License, Flickr
Location: 8 Howard Street Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 1894
Web Address: http://nha.org/sites/greaterlight.html
28. Washing Pond Beach
4.4 (16 reviews)
Credit: ISS Expedition 16, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 38 Washing Pond Road Nantucket MA
27. Museum of African American History
4.7 (17 reviews)
Location: 29 York Street Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 9833
Web Address: http://maah.org/
26. Great Point Beach
4.8 (18 reviews)
Location: 147 Wauwinet Road Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 1700
Web Address: http://thetrustees.org/
25. Loines Observatory
4.8 (20 reviews)
Credit: SamHolt6, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 59 Milk Street Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 257 1117
Web Address: https://mariamitchell.org/visit/loines-observatory
24. Old Gaol
4.3 (20 reviews)
Location: 15R Vestal Street Nantucket MA
Web Address: http://nha.org/sites/oldgaol.html
23. Tupancy Links
4.9 (23 reviews)
Credit: Michael Wyatt, Google Maps
Location: 157 Cliff Road Nantucket MA
Web Address: https://nantucketconservation.org/property/tupancy-links/
22. Maria Mitchell Aquarium
4.7 (25 reviews)
Credit: Neddy1234, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 28 Washington Street Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 5387
Web Address: http://mariamitchell.org/visit/aquarium
21. Hadwen House
4.5 (28 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 96 Main Street Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 1894
Web Address: https://nha.org/visit/museums-and-tours/hadwen-house/
20. Ladies Beach
4.8 (36 reviews)
Credit: bbcamericangirl, License, Flickr
19. Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge
5.0 (39 reviews)
Credit: U. S. Fish, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 147 Wauwinet Road Nantucket MA
Web Address: https://fws.gov/refuge/nantucket
18. 40th Pole Beach
4.6 (43 reviews)
Credit: Stephen Ogden, Google Maps
17. Miacomet Beach
4.7 (50 reviews)
Credit: Tim Sackton, License, Wikimedia commons
Web Address: http://nantucket.net/beaches/miacomet.php
16. Jethro Coffin House
4.7 (52 reviews)
Credit: Tichnor Bros. Inc.,, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 16 Sunset Hill Ln Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 1894
Web Address: http://nha.org/sites/oldesthouse.html
15. Sankaty Head Golf Club
4.7 (57 reviews)
Credit: Unknown author, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 100 Sankaty Road Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 257 6391
Web Address: http://sankatyheadgc.com/
14. Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge Gatehouse
4.9 (88 reviews)
Location: 107 Wauwinet Road Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 0006
Web Address: http://thetrustees.org/
13. ‘Sconset Bluff Walk
4.7 (110 reviews)
Location: 27 Bank Street Nantucket MA
Web Address: http://nha.org/history/hn/HN-april73-stackpole-bluff.htm
12. Steps Beach
4.7 (128 reviews)
Credit: Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism, License, Flickr
Location: Nantucket MA
11. Nantucket Downtown Historic District
4.7 (208 reviews)
Credit: Frank McAuliffe, Google Maps
Location: 2 Fairgrounds Road Nantucket MA
Web Address: https://nantucket-ma.gov/283/Historic-District-Commission
10. Bartlett’s Farm
4.6 (292 reviews)
Credit: Exchanges Photos, License, Flickr
Location: 33 Bartlett Farm Road Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 9403
Web Address: http://bartlettsfarm.com/
Our Top picks
9. Cisco Beach
4.9 (24 reviews)
Credit: Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism, License, Flickr
8. Jetties Beach
4.6 (38 reviews)
Credit: Michael Femia, License, Flickr
7. Great Point Lighthouse
4.9 (58 reviews)
Credit: Tichnor Bros. Inc.,, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 325 5395
6. Nantucket Shipwreck and Life Saving Museum
4.9 (58 reviews)
Credit: Egan Maritime’s Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum, Google Maps
Location: 158 Polpis Road Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 1885
Web Address: http://eganmaritime.org/shipwreck-lifesaving-museum
5. Madaket Beach
4.8 (144 reviews)
Credit: English: NASA, License, Wikimedia commons
Web Address: http://nantucket-ma.gov/673/Beaches-Parks
4. Sankaty Head Light
4.8 (199 reviews)
Credit: Carol M. Highsmith, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: USA Baxter Road Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 257 4100
Web Address: https://sconsettrust.org/stewardship/sankaty-head
3. Brant Point Lighthouse
4.7 (262 reviews)
Credit: Hazal Ozturk, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Easton Street Nantucket MA
Web Address: https://nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/brn.htm
2. Cisco Brewers
4.5 (327 reviews)
Location: 5 Bartlett Farm Road Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 325 5929
Web Address: http://ciscobrewers.com/
1. Whaling Museum
4.8 (560 reviews)
Credit: Tichnor Bros. Inc.,, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 13 Broad Street Nantucket MA
Tel: 508 228 1894
Web Address: http://nha.org/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Nantucket, Massachusetts! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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